2018 Ford Fusion Hybrid Review, Specs, Prices

Most car companies today offer hybrid versions of their midsize sedans. That means there are many options, but it can also make it difficult to know which one is best for you. Ford may have what you’re looking for with its 2018 Fusion Fusion. The standard Fusion has been favored for its sharp appearance, good handling, spacious trunk and excellent Infotainment Sync 3 system. All these positive attributes are brought to the hybrid version to give an edge over some competitor.

A well-sorted suspension and chassis setup prevent the 2018 Fusion Hybrid from rolling too much when the road becomes winding. Although if the mountain road is not part of your normal journey, you will still appreciate Fusion Hybrid the space-saving interior and trunk. Like other hybrid sedans, the Fusion battery pack takes a lot of trunk space. However, the low profile allows you to lower the rear seats and access the trunk, increasing the useful storage space. A rare feature in this class.

Interior quality is also consistently high across the trim level. In the Platinum version, the quilted leather upholstery might make you think you are driving a luxury car. Still, there are flaws, of course. The Fusion Hybrid is not the most fuel-efficient vehicle in the class, it only gets 42 mpg combined, compared to the Accord Hybrid with its 48 mpg, and it isn’t the quickest. But overall, the 2018 Ford Fusion Hybrid practicality and comfortable and nicely-trimmed cabin far outweigh its shortcomings.

What’s new

The Ford Fusion Hybrid is unchanged for 2018.

Trim levels and features

The 2018 Ford Fusion Hybrid is four-door midsize sedan is available in four trims: S, SE, Titanium and Platinum. The Fusion Energi and regular Fusion is reviewed separately.

The SE adds exterior LED accent lights, exterior keypad entry, a six-way power passenger seat, an eight-way power driver seat with power lumbar adjustment, a rear-seat center armrest, a digital compass and satellite radio.

The Titanium includes the SE optional features plus LED foglights, ambient lighting, sport front seats, eight-way power adjustment for the passenger seat and an upgraded Sony 12-speaker audio system with HD radio.

The SE with Luxury and Technology packages and Titanium trim are eligible for the Luxury Driver Assist package, which adds automatic high-beam control, automatic wipers, lane departure warning and intervention, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, an auto-dimming driver mirror and a heated steering wheel. With the Driver Assist package, the SE and Titanium can be equipped with a collision mitigation system, adaptive cruise control with pedestrian detection, an automated parallel and perpendicular parking system.

Stand-alone option for the SE and Titanium is a sunroof and a navigation system, and the Titanium can be had with ventilated front seats as well.

Engine Specs

The 2018 Ford Fusion Hybrid is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine paired with an electric motor that powered by a lithium-ion battery pack. Together, this combination can generate as much as 188 horsepower. That power sent to the front wheels through a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

In performance testing, the 2018 Ford Fusion Hybrid Platinum accelerates from zero to 60 mph in 8.5 second, which is average for the class. If speed is your priority, the Camry Hybrid is about a second quicker when sprint to 60 mph. Electric-only operation supposedly can drive the Fusion at speeds up to 85 mph. The lithium-ion battery pack is recharged by the engine-driven generator and during regenerative braking.

EPA rated the 2018 Ford Fusion Hybrid at 42 mpg combined (43 city/41 highway), which is impressive by conventional standards but still behind the Honda Accord Hybrid with an EPA estimate of 47 mpg combined. The Fusion Hybrid also has a much shorter EPA-estimated range of 567 miles.

Interior

Ford interior designers got the basics right in the Fusion Hybrid. The driver’s seat is easily adjusted to the right position and provides a good sight line out the front and side. But rear visibility is hampered by the sloping rear window, so the standard rearview camera is very helpful.

Sharp angles and sleek look throughout help the 2018 Ford Fusion Hybrid interiors match with its handsome exterior style. The emphasis is on having a large, well-textured surface and eliminating unusual mess, and it works well. There are pleasant and cool styles to the seats and dashboards, which mostly tuned with high-quality finishes.

Without Sync 3, the basic radio with a standard Sync system is somewhat difficult to use and the small display screen is unpleasant to look at. In contrast to the Sync 3, its features a more intuitive 8-inch touchscreen and gives the center console a more modern look, so it’s highly recommended to upgrade. The large horizontal row of virtual buttons allows the user to move between the various screens easily, and the optional navigation system has swiping and pinch-to-zoom feature.

Due to battery packs, the Hybrid has a smaller trunk space compared to the standard Fusion. It checks at 12 cubic feet, or 4 cubes less than the regular Fusion. However, it is equivalent to other midsize hybrid sedan trunks, and the 60/40-split rear seat can be folded for those who need more cargo space.

Release Dates and Price

The 2018 Ford Fusion Hybrid is on sale and arriving now at dealers nationwide. Key competitors include the Honda Accord hybrid, Toyota Camry hybrid and Hyundai Sonata hybrid.

The official price for the base Fusion Hybrid S starting at $26,170 (including $875 destination charge). The SE trim starting at $27,120, while the Titanium starts at $31,650. Top-of-the-line Platinum trim cost $38,150.